OPTICALLY-ACTIVE SURFACTANTS .2. CHEMOENZYMATIC SYNTHESIS OF BIS[(R)-(-)-2-ETHYL-1-HEXYL] SODIUM SULFOSUCCINATE (AEROSOL OT) VIA LIPASE-CATALYZED RESOLUTION OF (R, S)2-ETHYLHEXAN-1-OL

Optically pure (R)-(-)-2-ethylhexan-1-ol, (R)-(-)-2a, is obtained in o ne step via lipase-catalyzed enantioselective transacetylation of race mic 2-ethylhexan-1-ol with vinyl acetate in organic solvents; THF is f ound to give rise to both high enantiomeric excesses (up to 100%) and high conversion rates. A new optically active surfactant, bis[(R)-(-)- 2-ethyl-1-hexyl] sodium sulfosuccinate, with enantiomerically pure lip ophilic chains is prepared in two steps from (R)-(-)-2a. Its propertie s (critical micelle concentration) differ slightly from those of racem ic and bis[(S)(+) 2-ethyl-1-hexyl] surfactants.